Super A quit running

Working on a family members super a that quit. Here's the sequence of events-

Hard to start, HUGE backfire out exhaust pipe but started

Ran poorly ( skip, low power) for about 500 feet then died.

Here's what I found so far -

Good compression (150 psi)

Not flooded clean plugs points etc

Great fire at points and spark plugs however will only occasionally pop using ether trying to start

Remove rotor button and shaft has quite a bit of backlash and makes some noise when moving back and forth. I compared this to one of my cubs and rotor shaft is much tighter and will spring back to position when released. The A will not.

I suspect at this point something is broken in distributor ( counterweight springs ? )

Has anyone else had this issue or have any ideas?

At this point I am thinking setting to correct time and removing dist to look under point plate.

Re: Super A quit running

Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:23 pm

Sort of reminds me of that convertible at Dale's minifest the other day.....

From what you describe, I would guess something is off kilter with the timing.

Al

Re: Super A quit running

Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:31 pm

buster38 wrote:

At this point I am thinking setting to correct time and removing dist to look under point plate.

Double check firing order too. One Cub I bought would backfire and I couldn't get it to fire either. Turns out someone had removed the distributor and installed it 90 degrees out of location. Once installed correctly, it ran like a top.

Re: Super A quit running

Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:34 pm

That's funny Al. I forgot about that

Re: Super A quit running

Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:36 pm

Is there any side play in the shaft? Pull out no one plug and bring up to compression , use a long screwdriver to get piston at TDC. Check where rotor is. Check cap good , twist distributor until rotor is in correct place, see if it will fire. Then pull distributor and check under plate. I should have the parts if you need them. N/C on small parts Boss